Slow start costs Kildare against The Dubs
Mike Wall's team won the second half 0-5 to 0-3, but a blistering first from Dublin did the necessary damage in this game
Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship
Dublin 0-14
Kildare 0-6
It was a slow first half that did all the damage for Kildare as they came up short in their visit to Dublin for the penultimate round of the Intermediate Camogie Championship.
The opening minutes did look promising as Kildare began to create chances. However, it would be The Dubs that got the first score of the game and fine style too. Wing-forward Joye Atkinson took off on a brilliant driving run before setting up Sophie McIntyre to knock over from close range.
One key to Dublin’s success was free-taker Eimear O’Leary, the Ballyboden St Enda’s forward was near faultless on her set-pieces throughout this game. She doubled their lead after five minutes.
A minute later, and after some early misses, Kildare got their first point through Lea Sutton with a well-taken free.
This Kildare side, who have been criticised for their lack of scoring prowess, appeared to have their confidence hit by the early wides. That uncertainty spread throughout the pitch too as they failed to build any meaningful attacks or spells of possession for the remainder of the opening half.
The Dubs pushed clear in the minutes that followed as Eimear O’Leary nailed a 45’ before Ciara Murphy scored from close-range to put her side three clear at the 10-minute mark.
It was all O’Leary from here as Kildare conceded three frees in the space of four minutes within scoring range, all of which were dispatched by the Dublin number 11.
Kildare couldn’t get out, a scream from their dugout summed it all up, a cry of “we’re handing the ball away girls” could be heard right across the field.
Emma Moran got her first score of the afternoon with a sharp turn and fine finish over the bar. Eimear O’Leary added her sixth point of the game before Moran notched again to send the side’s in at 0-11 to 0-1 in a dismal opening half for The Lilies.
Kildare, to their immense credit, brought a huge response in the second half. Lea Sutton knocked over a superb score from the 45’ to double her tally. Sutton nailed a free just a few minutes later too as the improved Kildare showing began to lift the mood.
Amy Carey would get The Dubs’ first point of the second half 12 minutes into it as The Lilies kept the leading side at bay.
Sutton would convert another long-range free and Kildare had outscored The Dubs 0-4 to 0-1 in the second half with 10 to go.
The score of the match was undeniably a Kildare one and it came, once again, from their captain Lea Sutton. The Broadford forward took aim from 65-metre range and struck her effort between the posts to draw applause from all in attendance.
Two late set-piece scores from the ever-reliable Eimear O’Leary gave the home side their second and third points of the second half. Those scores were separated by an excellent point from Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal who after being fouled was allowed advantage and knocked over a great score.
In the end, Dublin ran out 0-14 to 0-6 winners. However, after a two-point leading margin (0-5 to 0-3) in the second half means there is something to build on for manager Mike Wall and his staff for next year as Kildare’s campaign nears conclusion.
The Kildare boss said after the game, “We weren’t happy going in at half-time and the players weren’t happy with themselves either. We know we are a lot better and we asked them to go out and give a performance and I think they did, they showed brilliant character.”
Scorers: Dublin, Eimear O'Leary 0-8 (0-7 frees, 0-1 45'), Emma Moran 0-2, Sophie McIntyre 0-1, Ciara Murphy 0-1, Amy Carey 0-1, Roisin Ni Chathasaigh 0-1.
Kildare, Lea Sutton 0-5 (0-4 frees), Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 0-1.
DUBLIN: Chloe Ní Cheallaigh; Kirsty Fenton, Roisin Ni Drisceoil, Carla Brogan; Niamh McCormack, Sibéal Cherry, Caoimhe French; Chloe O'Connor, Joye Atkinson; Roisin Ni Chathasaigh; Eimear O'Leary, Ciara Murphy; Éile Ní Cheallaigh, Emma Moran, Sophie McIntyre, Sophie McIntyre. Subs: Grace Shanahan for Roisin Ni Chathasaigh (27 minutes), Lauren Quinn for Sophie McIntyre (Half-time), Amy Carey for Éile Ní Cheallaigh (35 minutes), Nicola Cotter for Niamh McCormack (38 minutes), Caoimhe Tierney for Carla Brogan (52 minutes),
KILDARE: Claire Evans; Kelly Perkins, Sorcha Dolan, Ella Copeland; Shauna Dunne, Aoife McCarthy, Ellen Morgan; Shauna Mulligan, Meabh Maguire; Sinéad O'Brien, Lea Sutton, Sarah Carroll; Niamh Mortell, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal, Aoife McDermott. Subs: Laoise Mimnagh for Kelly Perkins (Half-time), Caoimhe Shanahan for Niamh Mortell (51 minutes), Aideen Walsh for Sinéad O'Brien (54 minutes).